There are three words that make up the most common phrase used in the book of Proverbs. Can you guess what they are? Fear the LORD. What does “fear the LORD” mean exactly? Why is it the single most repeated phrase in Proverbs? Well, let us take a look.
Prov. 1:7- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Prov. 3:7- “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.”
Prov. 9:10- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Prov. 10:27- “The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.”
Prov. 14:26- “In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.”
Prov. 14:27- “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn from the snares of death.”
Prov. 15:16- “Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”
Prov. 16:6- “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.”
Prov. 28:14- “Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.”
When we dissect the verses with the command “fear the LORD” included in them, we find this: fear comes with knowledge, goodness, wisdom, life, confidence, refuge, contentment, and blessing. These blessings are ones I am sure we each desire! However, maybe you have also read the phrase in Scripture before that says, “Do not fear!” or “Fear not!” I don’t know about you but these two versions of fear sound counterintuitive. But, let us look at the definitions of these two different “fears.”
Looking at the original Hebrew translation of the word, “fear” from Proverbs 1:7, the word is yir’ah. Yir’ah means to have deep reverence, respect, and submission to God’s holiness and power. On the contrary, looking at the original Hebrew translation of the word, “fear” from Isaiah 41:10 that states, “Do not fear,” the word is yare’. Yare’ means to be afraid or to be in terror. Interestingly enough, the fear repeated constantly in Proverbs (yir’ah) is also written as a noun, whereas the fear in verses such as Isaiah 41:10 (yare’) is written as a verb.
Reflection:
With urgent reminders throughout Proverbs, Solomon tells us to fear the LORD, as this is the beginning of wisdom. Our fear of the LORD is a noun. It is something we possess, rather than something we do. And, it is only through the LORD that we can receive a posture of reverential awe for Him. In this posture, wisdom is granted. Let me ask you, what makes the LORD worthy of your reverential posture? If you were standing before the LORD today, would your knees buckle from His holiness?
But what is this fear of the LORD? It is that affectionate reverence, by which the child of God bends himself humbly
and carefully to his Father’s law.
~Charles Bridges
Hello! I am Lizzy Laymon, a GCU Professional Writing student who has a big heart for Jesus. I love crafting, thrifting, reading, and traveling, all with coffee involved of course. My passions lie in the activities where Jesus is most evident to me. This includes anything outdoors, in a room with children, or nestled deep in scripture.
The book of Proverbs convicts me in more ways than not, and Cherie Wagner’s bible study graciously convicted me too this last semester. Now, I am excited to share aspects of Proverbs with you that continue to challenge, encourage, and shape me. So, please join me in praying that Proverbs enlightens each of us this summer as we delve deeper.
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